".... A camera maker that simply
copies others' idea has no right to call itself an original maker in the first place."
-Mr. Maitani, creator of the OM photographic system.

NOTE: Complimentary links
are appreciative but it is not necessary, I have limited bandwidth here in this server...
PLEASE don't distribute this URL to any bulk mailing list or unrelated user-groups,
just be a little considerate, thank you. (The more you distribute, the slower this
server will response to your requests...). I am NOT an OM expert, so don't send me
any mails, use the Message Board Instead. While the content prepared herein should
be adequate for anyone to understand and evaluate whether you should invest into
a used OM camera system for your kind of photography. Naturally, there is not autofocus
nor fancy computer programs for you to toy around with - just back to bare basic
to the manual focus days of photography and with a little extra benefit of a simple
but highly functional automation offered with the OM2. Well, IF you like what you
have seen so far, please help to perfect this site by reporting any broken links
or any errors made.

Olympus OM-1(n), OM-2(n)andOM-2nSP(Spot/Program)
The mechanical Olympus OM-1 was introduced in 1972 as the first of a new breed of
small & lightweight single lens reflex cameras from a company that never seriously
being regarded as a 35mm SLR camera manufacturer by others. But it has proved Olympus
was easily one of the most innovative 35mm SLR camera manufacturer of the seventies
The Company has brought quite a number of revolutionary design in their SLR bodies
that has casted such a powerful influence on the future of 35mm SLR camera design.
It has continued to shine through the early to mid '80 and has also incorporated
many other exciting features such as FP flash sync and multi-spots metering system
into their newer SLR models. Its unique and proprietary integrated OTF Direct Metering
System for ambient light and flash metering first seen and used on the OM-2 in 1975
is still unmatched and hard to duplicate after 25 years since its introduction. Despite
its extremely compact dimension, selective higher end OM models have proven its ability
to withstand the extremes of climactic conditions, and the battering by professional
photographers on hazardous assignments and rough treatment on the fields. For an average user,
it is
a system that grows as your needs expand.
Among many diversified and supplementary photographic system accessories, macro-photo
system remains as the most comprehensive and sophisticated among all manufacturers.
The flash photographic system is the most versatile and accurate in exposure control.
But the best factor to consider investing into OM system is still - virtually all
system accessories can find a way or another for back and foreword compatibility
with older or newer SLR bodies. Even the Zuiko lenses that has grown from the original
30 odd lenses to more than 50 in numbers over the years have no problems fitting
into any of the newer OM SLR bodies. The complete system integration offers by the
OM photographic system has enabled Olympus to take on competitions with their respective
competing professional graded SLR camera models such the Nikon F2, the Minolta XK, Canon F-1 and to a lesser extend,
the revised Pentax K-series models. In fact, the OM system was easily regarded as
the most respectable 35mm camera system during from the period of mid-seventies to
beginning of the eighties.

Every system components within the OM system are carefully planned and thoughtfully
designed so as to ensure they are durable and rugged enough to withstand the test
of time and remains compatible and integrate with one and other. Olympus, being one
of the smaller manufacturers among the few electronic giants in Japan producing 35mm
cameras has its own way of fixing its marketing strategies for its products. It was
the only camera manufacturer to use a human personality to promote its products.
It was none other than Chief Designer, Mr. Yoshihisa
Maitani
- who was behind the designing of the hugely popular Pen half frame series which
has sold more than 10 million units during its product cycle. Other master piece
of design include OM series SLR bodies of OM-1, OM-2 and also OM-3 & OM-4 series
models, the first compact (& stylish) P&S model - the XA series. Of cause,
today's Olympus is not confined to making SLR cameras anymore, it has evolved into
a respectable specialized electronic imaging manufacturer. The original photo technical
group has spinned off to become a world leader in optical health care, scientific
research and industrial inspection supplier. The 35mm camera manufacturing is till
on going with some very exciting and uniquely featured products such as hot selling
É [mju:] series of auto compact and ZLR (zoom lens reflex) bodies. While
on the other hand, I think with recent development of the digital photography, it
is very likely that Olympus may be diverting more attention to that segment for continual
survival in this highly competitive market.

It is hard to cover all aspect of the whole system in a website. I have spent quite
sometime to compile some of these useful information that may benefit some entry
users. On a personal note, I had almost bought my first SLR in a Olympus OM2 during
the mid-70 if not put off by the high price tag on the motor drive by the local distributor.
Anyway, may be I am just using this site to patch some of my regrets for not owning
a Olympus camera, but these two little jewels from Olympus has redefined some basic
concept of camera design while on the other hand, inspired other manufacturers that
it is possible that a professional class SLR camera be made compact while not compromising
on built quality, performance, system integrity and reliability. As demonstrated
by the two OM-bodies - ALL within a dimension of 786 x 83 x 50 mm and weighs less
than 500grams which I thought that was a truly amazing.

By the way,
some dedicated Olympus users have been maintaining a very good FAQ (52k) - which by far, I would easily rated it as
one of the best among all FAQs on camera information in term of quality, accuracy
of content, and wealth of technical information. You are encouraged to download a
copy for your personal reference.

Credit: My old time buddy,
Ahmad
Ikram,
Dr of Rubber Research Institute (RRI), Malaysia
who shares the same passion with me and also lending his OM-1n, OM-4 and the Motor
Drive 1 to me for preparing some images in this site; Mark Dapoz <md@dementia.org>for reminding
some broken links;Mr Poon of Foto Poon, Ipoh, Mr Richard, Ampang Park, MrLim
and Miss Jenny of Foto Edar for their generosity for their OM1(n), OM2n camera
and some Zuiko lenses. Mr Hans van Veluwen for mistakenly using
some content earlier from his OM website; J Sorensen
for providing some useful images to rectify some technical "flaws"; Mr
Gen Holst for helping during the early stages of development of this OM site;
Mr Andy
Radcliffe <AndyJRadcliffe@aol.com>
for his contribution of the Zuiko 200mm f/5.0 lens; Mr KKLow for some of his earlier
images on the OM-1appeared in this website; Miss Wati and Mirza for helping me to convert
this Operation Manual into a HTML format. MrMCLau for rectifying some mistakes
made on the earlier preview sites. A personal tribute to the creator of the OM system
and also a site dedicated to all the fans of Olympuses and Zuiko Optics worldwide. Some
of the content and images appeared in this site were scanned from OM official marketing
leaflets, brochures and instruction manual(s) for educational purposes. Olympus is
a registered tradename of Olympus Optical Inc., Japan. Site created 'unfortunately' again with
an IMac.